Since a Buddha's omniscience and compassion is boundless, it makes sense for Shakyamuni Buddha to give a teaching where the beings of this world of dukkha can be reborn into a world of sukkha, in order to escape samsara and attain complete awakening.

Dharmakara expressed his resolution to become a Buddha. At Dharmakara's pleading, Lokesvararaja showed Dharmakara innumerable Buddha- lands, which Dharmakara examined carefully as he made plans for his own Buddhahood. After five kalpas of contemplation, Dharmakara formulated a resolution which we know today as the 48 Great Vows (Chapter 7).

i posted an article but in chinese, regrading how Pureland's profound theory can be seen no different from Dzogchen theory.http://sgforums.com/forums/2954/topics/469656many people in the east are also intereted in Tibetan buddhism, not knowing Pureland's theory is as profound.

_/\_Amituofo!

"Enlightenment is to turn around and see MY own mistake, Other's mistake is also my mistake. Others are right even if they are wrong. i'm wrong even if i'm right. " - Master Chin Kung

I'm a big doubter, and this is to me why Pure Land seems to fit me so well. I am not fit for overly complicated Buddhism; if it's simple, dressed like me in simple layman's clothes, and with as little sacred texts, rituals and objects and hidden doctrines as possible, it's better for me. Pure Land represents that to me. I don't know how the Dharma will lead everyone to enlightenment; I don't know anything for sure. All I believe is that there is a saving grace which will come to whomever requests it, and that is the Infinite Light of Amida Buddha. To remind myself, Amida calls myself by its name.

Arjan Dirkse wrote:I'm a big doubter, and this is to me why Pure Land seems to fit me so well. I am not fit for overly complicated Buddhism; if it's simple, dressed like me in simple layman's clothes, and with as little sacred texts, rituals and objects and hidden doctrines as possible, it's better for me. Pure Land represents that to me. I don't know how the Dharma will lead everyone to enlightenment; I don't know anything for sure. All I believe is that there is a saving grace which will come to whomever requests it, and that is the Infinite Light of Amida Buddha. To remind myself, Amida calls myself by its name.

I really agree with this sentiment, I'm pretty much the same way. I study with a Lam Rim group (Tibetan Gelug Buddhism) because I enjoy the people and find I get a lot out of the class, but looking at Tibetan Gelug practices makes my head spin. All the commitments, rituals, sadhanas, visualizations, and prayer implements can be downright scary. I tend to get intimidated by the idea of even attempting to keep 2 Uposatha days each month, when you look at the Tibetan Gelug calendar (like the one from FPMT for example), it's a full schedule. There's something very beautiful about the simplicity of Pure Land. Sure, there are visualizations in Pure Land too, but they're optional and they're introduced gradually. There's also something very restful about nianfo/nembutsu practice that I don't find elsewhere. I find it easier to let go when entrusting in something other. That being said, I've done a pretty horrible job maintaining any sort of routine lately - family life has been keeping me very busy.

Doubt will always arise in a mind that is full of blind passions, this is why all the pure land masters tried so hard to get everyone to just do it, recite the name with all your heart, ceaselessly, or as ceaseless as you can manage. When there is only Amida in your mind and on your lips you will no longer doubt, you will be certain of your attainment of birth in the blissful land.

I struggled with doubts for several years, but now, if a thought of doubt arises, I have one single response to it.........Namu Amida Bu. And believe me that doubt will leave you be, well at least till next time

Doubt is something that arises when you put to much time into study and not enough into practice, study cannot and never will remove doubt, only practice removes doubt. It is only natural to us that we grasp after knowledge thinking it will give us answers, it will not. The books are there to show you what to do and understand what you are doing, after that, lock that book away, or better still give it to another.

Honen Shonin said, "once a scholar is born, a man forgets the Nembutsu" and that we should " become like the unlettered, ignorant of even a single character" because there is no settled heart/mind found in those things, only in the Nembutsu itself will you find your answers and come face to face with Amida Buddha.

Do not let the poison of doubt have a chance to take hold of your minds, when you see it come after you, run straight to the Buddha in his name until that doubt has give up. It has to be this way, it cannot be rationalized, take the leap of faith and recite the name like you got nothing to lose and then you will know for yourself what the books are teaching.

Metta wrote:Hello, I've joined this forum in order to express some doubts that I have. I've read the story about Dharmakara before he became Amitabha Buddha. My question is how really likely is it for some ordinary human to be able to go through five aeons (that's five big bangs) of nothing but sheer practice without retrogressing on the path in order to become a Buddha and create this pure land? I really don't mean to be offensive in any way, but how can anyone with a sane mind believe in something that sounds so irrational and fairy tale like? Not to mention the anti woman sentiments in one of the vows? Is a perfectly enlightened Buddha really supposed to have a discriminatory mind like that? Just doesn't make sense. I do not wish to offend anyone, if I did then I apologize.

You are considering the Pure Land Teachings in their most literal form. Just as with the Christian Bible, doing so leaves you with an epic adventure story, but not something that everyone will literally believe.

The story of Dharmakara may be just that; an inspiring story. If it causes a practitioner to be inspired and to call to the infinite light, life and love of the universe with sincerety (and all the positive aspects this brings in life), then it has done it's job.

Personally, as a Jodo-Shu (via Amida UK) practitioner, I probably doubt the literal fact of the story. However I believe with a strong and faithful heart in Amida; in the heart of the universe, and that in my practice, Amida becomes a real, conceivable force of good.

Nam Myoho Renge KyoNichiren Buddhist.My lifetime outlook: "...just take the good.... there is always bad..... but just take the good".